Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and track and field jump performance across different specialties: Sex differences and electrode configuration

The assessment of athletic performance using non-invasive methods has been a significant focus in research aimed at measuring physiological parameters. This study explores the application of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) among track and field athletes, with a focus on sex differences, electrode configu- ration, and the correlation between BIVA parameters and jump performances. This cross-sectional study involved 61 Italian track and field athletes: 31 females and 30 males (age: 21.4±3.8; 21.1±2.6years; stature: 166.1±6.1; 180.1±5.0cm; body mass: 57.4±9.7; 72.5±10.5kg, respectively). Anthropometric measure- ments, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and athletic jump performance were conducted. The RXc graph, two-sample Hotelling's T2 test for BIVA, and one- way ANOVA for specialty comparisons were employed. Pearson and Spearman's tests evaluated the correlations between BIVA parameters and jump perfor- mance. Differences in bioimpedance values were observed between athlete groups. Lateral asymmetries were more pronounced in females. Correlations between BIVA and jump performance also varied by sex and electrode configura- tion, ranging from r=−0.072, p=0.699–r=0.555, p=0.001 in females, and from r=0.204, p=0.281–r=0.691, p=0.001 in males. This study highlights the utility of BIVA in providing rapid and non-invasive assessments of body composition and its relationship with jump performance, considering variations in athlete sex and electrode configuration.